Another faulty valve stem

cadillaczac · Post by **cadillaczac** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:59 pm

I know this discussion has come up before but just heed another warning. Yesterday after riding about 40 miles I was coming back to my moms when it happened, the rear tire went flat instantly. The whole scoot got bent way out of shape and the ass end almost came around a little too much, all while doing 50 MPH. I didn't even half to think twice, I checked the valve stem and it was torn along the base (this is the second time this has happened to me). I went to the motorcycle store and they do have an upgraded version that the steel stem goes down far enough to were it protrudes down into the rim, making for a much more stable and durable valve stem. It cost $9.99 per stem ( a little cheaper than the universal all steel one @ $14.99) and seems like it should hold up pretty well.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:13 pm

Glad you are ok CZ! Thanks for the info on replacements. 2nd time? So what's up with you and valve stems??!

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:22 pm

Do you brace the stem with your fingers behind it before pushing the air hose onto it and in front before taking it off? Simply pushing and pulling it with no counter force may contribute to the failure you describe.

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:46 pm

Good warning for everyone.

It’s a weak point on the scooter –
Is your scooter exposed to the elements very much?
On my scooter the rear stem was in OK shape, just old, but the front stem deteriorated mainly because I park my scooter in a garage when at home, but I often leave the door open, exposing the front of the skoot (I back in) to our intense sun, my garage faces directly west – I now close the garage door to protect the vehicles.

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:26 pm

oh I'm glad you're ok. this was news to me when I got my tires replaced recently - should have been obvious that since there's no tube, that stem is attached some other way. The first set of Zippy's they put on these nice shining silver stems that were good and stiff. This new set, I'm back flimsier brass (looking) ones and none to please about it. The flimsy ones seem to lose air more than those stiff silver ones did. They charged me $7/each and I never got an itemized bill for the first change. I wonder what the silver ones cost.

my scooter is outside 24/7 in the sun. No one's mentioned I should be weary of my stems! Now I have something to fear! GAH!

iwabj · Post by **iwabj** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:46 pm

cadillaczac · Post by **cadillaczac** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 2:41 am

The first time was the front tire, the second was the rear. I also at first never gave much thought to bracing the valve stem, until after I noticed it was bending around a bit when putting air in the tires. It was about two months later that the first valve stem went, at which point I had been very careful when airing up the tires. The only thing I can conclude is that I might be a little heavier than most riders and maybe putting more force on the tire, rim and valve stem. At this point I have no idea why this happens, just happy to buy a good valve stem and hope for the best.

mcwbyu82 · Post by **mcwbyu82** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:28 am

Same thing happened to me on my rear tire just three days ago. Rode fine one day, woke up the next morning to a completely flat tire. My dealer replaced it with a short straight one. At first appearance it seems like it would be hard to get to to fill but there is just enough room and looks a lot less prone to breakage then those bent ones to me.

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:28 pm

I had that issue with a Honda Helix. The problem I had was if the bend of the valve-stem was turned outward at 90 degrees, it would (just BARELY) clip part of the mount for the exhaust pipe and eventually tear the stem. The fix was so simple it was embarrassing; rotate it to 45 degrees from the rim instead of 90. Solved the problem. Went through about 4 valve-stems (because the dealer couldn't figure out the problem) and a tire before I finally figured it out and told the dealer what to do.

--Keys